Matsu Sushi Favorites

Matsu Sushi is a small, charming Japanese restaurant located downtown on the outskirts of the Old Market District. I have dined at Matsu Sushi many times for both lunch and dinner. It is a favorite spot for good quality Japanese food at an open and relaxing environment.

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If you want the fancy, modern, atmosphere of Blue Sushi Sake Grill or Hiro, then this is not the place to go. Matsu Sushi is off the beaten path. It has a down-to-earth, modest atmosphere, friendly service, and is usually not busy. On my visits, there are usually only a few other dining parties, one or two servers, and one or two sushi chefs.

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Matsu Sushi serves the standard Japanese fare but also includes some unique dishes. They have an expansive list of sushi which is detailed nicely in their supplemental sushi “picture” menu. Their sushi menu includes a reference letter/number, price, picture, name, and list of ingredients for each sushi item.

Spontaneously, Brian (my dude) and I went to Matsu Sushi for dinner on Friday, July 8th. Their food was calling to me that night. I ordered what I craved, Jean’s Favorite Chicken and Seafood Udon (includes salad). Brian ordered the Yoko Roll and Disco Shrimp Roll which came with complimentary soup and salad. Matsu Sushi also served us a surprise dish of crab wontons on the house.

The salad has fresh lettuce, cucumber, and carrot with a tasty ginger dressing.

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Salad

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Description: Salad with ginger dressing

Price: Included/Complimentary/$2.00

FoodMe YUM Rating: 7 out of 10

FoodMe Value Rating: 10 out of 10

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Matsu Sushi offers two complimentary soups, Spicy Mushroom Soup (clear broth with mushroom) and Miso Soup. Both soups are good, but I favor the traditional Miso Soup over the Spicy Mushroom Soup. I enjoy the warmth and taste of a good miso soup. I like to hold the warm bowl in my hands and drink the soup while savoring the taste.

Jean’s Favorite Chicken is an appetizer unique to Matsu Sushi. I am not sure who Jean is but this is FoodMeOmaha’s favorite too. Each piece is a delicious morsel of tender chicken with battered fried coating seasoned with Chinese five spices and cinnamon. So far, this has been a hit for 4 out of 5 people who I have shared this with.

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Jean’s Favorite Chicken

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Description: Spicy breaded chicken with Japanese spices.

Price: $7.25

FoodMe YUM Rating: 9 out of 10

FoodMe Value Rating: 9 out of 10

Matsu Sushi’s Seafood Udon is my favorite udon soup in town. The variety of seafood and vegetables is a unique version of the traditional Japanese udon soup. The hot noodle soup includes scallops, white fish, calamari, fish cake, shiitake mushrooms, onions, scallions, red peppers, and carrots. I love the chewy noodles, scallops, white fish, shiitake mushrooms, and warm broth. Those are the highlights in my mouth. The calamari was slightly overcooked that night but regardless my craving was satisfied.

Seafood Udon

Description: Hot udon noodle soup with seafood.

Price: $9.95

FoodMe YUM Rating: 9 out of 10

FoodMe Value Rating: 9 out of 10

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Brian’s Yoko Roll and Disco Shrimp Roll (left to right) did not disappoint. I love cilantro and there was a great cilantro taste for both of these rolls. I favored the Yoko Roll over the Disco Shrimp Roll. For the Yoko Roll, I liked the masago, spicy salmon, and cilantro combination. I do not recall tasting the peanuts. The shrimp did not stand out in the Disco Shrimp Roll and tasted similar to a california roll but with a cilantro flair.

Matsu Sushi surprised us with a dish of crab wontons on the house. The crab wontons were decent but did not have the “I want again” factor. I felt that it needed more of the cream cheese filling. It was a nice surprise though and I enjoyed trying something new. This is how I discovered Jean’s Favorite Chicken! Thanks Matsu Sushi!

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Crab Wontons

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Description: Wontons with cream cheese filling

Price: Unknown

FoodMe YUM Rating: 5 out of 10

Matsu Sushi also has great lunch specials at very reasonable prices. For example, you can get two rolls (limited selection) with soup and salad for just $10.95. My favorite lunch special is their sashimi set. Matsu Sushi has fresh, good quality, well-cut sashimi that I favor for a great price. A FoodMeOmaha review at Matsu Sushi’s lunch specials will come at another time. Coming to a stomach near you.